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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

A transcriptional and proteomic survey of Arachnocampaluminosa (Diptera: Keroplatidae) lanterns gives insights into the origin of bioluminescence from the Malpighian tubules in Diptera

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Author(s):
Silva, J. R. [1, 2] ; Amaral, D. T. [1, 2] ; Hastings, J. W. [3] ; Wilson, T. [3] ; Viviani, V. R. [1, 2]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCAR, Grad Program Evolut Genet & Mol Biol, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[2] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Grad Program Biotechnol & Environm Monitoring, Sorocaba, SP - Brazil
[3] Harvard Univ, Dept Mol & Cellular Biol, Cambridge, MA 02138 - USA
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: LUMINESCENCE; v. 30, n. 7, p. 996-1003, NOV 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 5
Abstract

Fungus-gnats of the genus Arachnocampa are unique among bioluminescent insects for displaying blue-green bioluminescence, and are responsible for one of the most beautiful bioluminescence spectacles on the roofs of the Waitomo Caves. Despite morphological studies showing that Arachnocampa larval lanterns involve specialization of the Malpighian tubules, the biochemical origin of their bioluminescence remains enigmatic. Using a cDNA library previously constructed from lanterns of the New Zealand glowworm A. luminosa, we carried out the first transcriptional analysis of similar to 500 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to identify putative candidate proteins for light production, and to better understand the molecular physiology of the lanterns and their relationship with Malpighian tubule physiology. The analysis showed an abundance of hexamerin-like proteins, as well as luciferase-like enzymes, indicating a possible critical role for these proteins in bioluminescence. These findings were corroborated by proteomic analysis of lantern extracts, which showed the presence of hexamerins and luciferase-like enzymes. Other gene products typical of Malpighian tubules, such as detoxifying enzymes, were also found. The results support the existence of an evolutionary link between Malpighian tubule detoxification and the origin of bioluminescence in these Diptera. Copyright (C) 2015 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/25378-3 - Transcriptome and AMP-ligases function in Malpighian tubules physiology of Zophobas morio larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Grantee:Jaqueline Rodrigues da Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)